Remembering September 11
“On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, hijackers on American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m., killing everyone on board and hundreds of people inside the building. It was initially viewed as an accident until, just a little over 15 minutes later at 9:03 a.m., hijackers crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower, killing those on board and several hundred inside the edifice.” – Newsweek
The school superintendent came to our office a few minutes before 9:00 a.m. as part of his routine visit on that day. Someone called our attention and we turned on the TV in the meeting room. No word could describe the horror we felt within the first half an hour of the crash. It was a day I would never forget.
The following Sunday as friends got together at a meeting, a couple who worked for Morgan Stanley shared that a few days before the attack, they were at the Headquarter on the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The wife remembered looking out at the surrounding buildings from the floor to ceiling windows. As she shared, she was shaken with tears in disbelief of what had taken place.
No matter how you choose to reflect on this day, images of what happened on 9/11 will forever serve as a reminder of the resilience we had—and still have—as a nation in the face of tragedy. As the world continues to change, the suffering and strength of that day will always remain a part of us.
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I was a kid when this happened. None of the kids in my school had ever been on an airplane (we were all poor), and all of us were scared for weeks when a plane flew over (at 30,000 feet or whatever). The first time I got on a plane, at 22, I screamed and cried. Terror can affect us in weird ways for a long time, I think.
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I have such vivid memories of that day, Miriam. I too remember being at work and all of us crowding into a conference room. I remember watching the second tower fall and being swept with horror. It was life-changing. I had trouble sleeping for almost a year, ended up quitting my job, and starting a different sort of life. I still have a visceral reaction to the photos. Thanks so much for sharing your memory and for honoring those who lost their lives as well as those who were the heroes that day and after.
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Yes, Diana. Right after the second tower fall, I was online for days and nights following the news and got so angry when the Pentagon was hit. All the news about how the terrorists sneaked into the country. I remember reading the relaxed entrance in Virginia. Some of them were born and raised here and made to believe in suicide killing.
I also followed the stories of the survivors running up and down the towers to escape, and the firefighters digging up rubbles, and volunteers to help. It was overwhelming.
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As for the photos, I don’t want to post the crashing photos. I can’t look at them.
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Me neither. It’s too traumatizing.
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Yes, I don’t want to relive the nightmare.
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Thank you Miriam. It’s important that we remember that terrible day… the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the flight where heroic passengers gave their lives to prevent the third plane reaching its destination. Hugs on the wing.
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Yes, the stories were heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Thank you, Teagan. Take care. Let me know of your promotion next month. 😊
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That was one of the most challenging days I had as a teacher. Everything was off because we all felt discombobulated and upset. Parents were freaking out, picking their kids up in the middle of the day. As a parent/teacher/adult, we like to think we can protect our kids, but sometimes there are days like that where all we can do is help them get through.
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I don’t understand why parents were picking up kids.
But I know it was hard to answer the the questions especially of the little ones. And how we comfort their fear when the adults were upset and freaking out.
That day changed our whole security system for schools and airlines. The airport convascated more nail clippers than what they care to handle, eventually are relaxed about that.
You’re right, Pete. We could only help the parents and students to get through.
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I think some were concerned that something more catastrophic might happen. The instinct of parents is to protect their children.
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I guess they just wanted to have the children with them. Schools are used as shelties. Under certain circumstances, schools are safer than home.
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Thank you for this beautiful reminder of a solemn event that tore apart our hearts. ♥ ♥
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You’re welcome, Gwen. It changed our nation in many ways.💖💖
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That day will never be forgotten.
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It was heartbreaking but eye opening, Toni. The resilience warms my heart.
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Never forget!❤️
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Yes, Jill. I don’t complain about the airport security that came out of it. 💖
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❤️
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